Lap supported work tray

ABSTRACT

A LAP SUPPORTED WORK TRAY CONSISTING OF A PLATE MEMBER FORMING A WORK SURFACE AND HAVING A DRAWER THEREUNDER, SAID DRAWER BEING LAP SUPPORTED AND SAID DRAWER SUPPORTING SAID PLATE MEMBER WITH A PAIR OF SLIDE MEMBERS ARRANGED FOR SAID PLATE MEMBER TO BE MOVABLE IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM THE USER TO UNCOVER SAID DRAWER FOR ACCESS THERETO.

C. D. MOEN LAP SUPPORTED WORK TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 4, 1970 .FICF. .Z

INVEN'TOR. :42; D MOE z flrronmrrsa C. D, MOEN LAP SUPPORTED WORK TRAY Oct. 31, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec, 4, 1970 HEM llll III illlHll (22:9 'm Plm all iiml INVENTOR. 13294 .0. M06

7 Arroxwsr United States Patent 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lap supported work tray consisting of a plate member forming a work surface and having a drawer thereunder, said drawer being lap supported and said drawer supporting said plate member with a pair of slide members arranged for said plate member to be movable in a direction away from the user to uncover said drawer for access thereto.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a lap supported worktray.

It is desirable to have a suitable and practical work surface for use while the user is comfortably situated in a chair such as in a rocking chair.

Lap trays generally for working purposes are known in the art as is indicated by what is disclosed in US. Letters Patent Nos. 2,783,109 to Frey; 1,364,022 to Bauer and 3,271,091 to Henry. The patent to 'Frey shows a tray with its novelty consisting of depending elements between which the legs of the user are placed. The patent to Bauer shows a lap tray having a compartment thereunder having a hinged door. The patent to Henry shows a foldable board comprising a portfolio which has a central piano hinge and includes a compartment.

The broad concept of having a lap tray which includes a storage compartment of some kind in connection therewith is indicated. However, there is no disclosure present of a lap tray structure having an underlying drawer to which access may be had readily without removing the lap tray from the lap to the user and without disturbing the work thereon.

It is an object of the invention herein to provide a lap tray structure to permit ready access to the underlying drawer thereof without disturbance of the work or materials present on the work surface thereof.

It is a further object of the invention herein to provide a lap tray structure wherein the work surface portion thereof is movable in a direction away from the user to uncover an underlying drawer.

It is also an object of the invention herein which more generally stated provides for a plate member to form a working surface and to have an underlying compartment or drawer and provides means connecting said plate member and drawer for sliding movement of said plate member relative to said drawer in a direction away from the user.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing portions thereof in dotted line;

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 as indicated;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2 as indicated;

FIG. 4 is a broken view in vertical section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1 as indicated;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective showing a form of a support for the structure herein other than the lap of user;

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective on a reduced scale of the apparatus herein showing the same operating position.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, the lap tray structure comprising the subject matter of the invention herein is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.

Said structure comprises a plate member 12 here illustrated as being substantially rectangular in plan. Recesses or cavities 13 may be formed in said plate member to provide receptacles. The upper surface 14 of said plate member is referred to as a work surface.

Underlying said plate member is a compartment 15 which is here shown to be generally parallelepiped in form. Said compartment has a front wall 16, side walls 17 and .18, and a rear wall 19.

Said plate member to provide a work surface of adequate extent is shown having portions extending beyond the under and rear wall of said compartment.

Connecting said plate member and said compartment are slide members 22 and 26. Said plate member is shown having secured thereto runners 23 and 24. Said compartment is shown having secured to the upper edge portions of its side walls guide members or slides 27 and 28 to receive said runners 23 and 24. Said slide members are arranged to have said plate member slidable rearwardly of said compartment to uncover said compartment for convenient access thereinto by the user. Said slide members are of conventional construction and do not require further description.

A pair f0 stop members 25 are carried by said plate member depending from it's underside to limit the rearward movement of said plate member.

A friction holding member 29 is carried at the front wall of said compartment as illustrated in FIG. 4 and is shown comprising a spring pressed detent 30 adapted to be received within the shallow recess 31 at the underside of said plate member in alignment therewith and thus forming a keeper.

It is a concept of the invention herein to have said lap tray structure supported other than just on the lap of a person. An alternate support for said lap tray is indicated in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, a desk 33 of conventional structure is shown wherein a cavity 34 is formed in its top plate member with underlying supports 35 and 36 at either end portion thereof. Thus the compartment 15 is disposed through said cavity to depend therebelow with said plate member 12 being received flush within said cavity and having the ends thereof resting upon the supports 35 and 36.

The operation or use of the lap tray structure disclosed herein is quite apparent from the description given. The lap tray structure is shown in operating position on the lap of a user with the user being comfortably situated in "a chair B in FIG. 6. A significant improvement in the instant structure is present in its arrangement which permits the plate member 12 to be moved in a direction away from the operator for ready and convenient access to the compartment 15. Thus access is had to said compartment without the need to disturb work or materials present on the work surface. The holding member secures said plate member against relative movement.

With reference to FIG. 5, an alternate support for said tray structure is shown in the arrangement of said desk 33 to receive said tray and removably support said plate mem- 'ber 12 in a flush relationship with the desk top.

Thus it is seen that there has been provided a lap tray structure having a significant improvement in the operating relationship between the plate member and the compartment thereof.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may 'be made in form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention herein which generally stated, consists in an apparatus capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combination of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

1. A lap supported work tray comprising:

a plate member having a work surface thereon,

a compartment underlying said plate member, said compartment being lap supported,

means slidably connecting said plate member and said compartment for slidable movement of said plate member relative to said compartment in a direction rearwardly of said compartment and outwardly of a supporting lap,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bauer 312-231 X Wheelock 312-290 Posz 312-290 Frey 108-43 Jaife et al. 312-290 X Jones 312-290 X Mauro 248-013 Valentine 312-290 X PAUL R. GILLIAM, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

